Microgravity and Vision Impairments in Astronauts

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Medical, Specialties, Ophthalmology, Science & Nature, Technology, Aeronautics & Astronautics
Cover of the book Microgravity and Vision Impairments in Astronauts by Erik Seedhouse, Springer International Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Erik Seedhouse ISBN: 9783319178707
Publisher: Springer International Publishing Publication: September 8, 2015
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: Erik Seedhouse
ISBN: 9783319178707
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Publication: September 8, 2015
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

Recent missions on board the International Space Station have revealed previously unreported physiological consequences of long duration space flight, particularly in eyesight, and in this Brief Dr. Seedhouse reviews the existing theories on what causes this degeneration and how long it will last. Notably, 60% of long-duration crews have reported subjective degradation in vision, a clear indication that further study is necessary before astronauts embark on even longer-term space missions. Decreased near-visual acuity was reported in 46% of ISS/Mir crewmembers, resulting in a change of up to 2 dioptres in their refractive correction. It is possible that ophthalmic changes have been present since the first days of spaceflight, but had been attributed to other causes; this approach to the issue as well as other hypotheses are all presented in full to give a broad foundation of the existing knowledge on the topic.  The changes have occurred at various times during a mission with varying degrees of visual degradation. Some cases resolved on return to Earth, but several crewmembers have not regained pre-flight visual acuity, indicating the damage may be permanent. One explanation of the syndrome has been attributed to hyperopic shift due to aging, but onboard analysis techniques, including visual acuity assessments, retinal imagery, and ultrasound examination of the eye, has led to the acceptance of a wider syndrome. In addition to vision changes, studies have reported flattening of the globe, swelling of the optic disc (papilledema), choroidal folds in the retina, swelling of the optic nerve sheath, and visual field defects. It is widely hypothesized that this spectrum of symptoms may be explained by an elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP). Establishing the provenance of this medical problem, monitoring its occurrence and resolving the symptoms for future long term space missions is a key challenge for space medicine. With this book, readers have an entry point for understanding the full scope of the problem and its possible origins.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Recent missions on board the International Space Station have revealed previously unreported physiological consequences of long duration space flight, particularly in eyesight, and in this Brief Dr. Seedhouse reviews the existing theories on what causes this degeneration and how long it will last. Notably, 60% of long-duration crews have reported subjective degradation in vision, a clear indication that further study is necessary before astronauts embark on even longer-term space missions. Decreased near-visual acuity was reported in 46% of ISS/Mir crewmembers, resulting in a change of up to 2 dioptres in their refractive correction. It is possible that ophthalmic changes have been present since the first days of spaceflight, but had been attributed to other causes; this approach to the issue as well as other hypotheses are all presented in full to give a broad foundation of the existing knowledge on the topic.  The changes have occurred at various times during a mission with varying degrees of visual degradation. Some cases resolved on return to Earth, but several crewmembers have not regained pre-flight visual acuity, indicating the damage may be permanent. One explanation of the syndrome has been attributed to hyperopic shift due to aging, but onboard analysis techniques, including visual acuity assessments, retinal imagery, and ultrasound examination of the eye, has led to the acceptance of a wider syndrome. In addition to vision changes, studies have reported flattening of the globe, swelling of the optic disc (papilledema), choroidal folds in the retina, swelling of the optic nerve sheath, and visual field defects. It is widely hypothesized that this spectrum of symptoms may be explained by an elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP). Establishing the provenance of this medical problem, monitoring its occurrence and resolving the symptoms for future long term space missions is a key challenge for space medicine. With this book, readers have an entry point for understanding the full scope of the problem and its possible origins.

More books from Springer International Publishing

Cover of the book Locating Nordic Noir by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Digital Technologies: Sustainable Innovations for Improving Teaching and Learning by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Social and Environmental Dimensions of Organizations and Supply Chains by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Social Management by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Advances in Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Advances in Electrodermal Activity Processing with Applications for Mental Health by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Poetry and Pedagogy across the Lifespan by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book The Lived Sentence by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Smart Futures, Challenges of Urbanisation, and Social Sustainability by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Cloud Computing by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Women, Civil Society and Policy Change in the Arab World by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book New Prospects in Geotechnical Engineering Aspects of Civil Infrastructures by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Positive Psychology Perspectives on Foreign Language Learning and Teaching by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book New Perspectives on Surface Passivation: Understanding the Si-Al2O3 Interface by Erik Seedhouse
Cover of the book Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Complex Systems by Erik Seedhouse
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy